Serum immunoglobulin E level in children with nephrotic syndrome

Abstract

Background and objective: The most supported theory for Nephrotic Syndrome (NS) etiology is that it is immune-mediated. This study aims to assess the level of serum IgE in children with Steroid Sensitive NS (SSNS) at relapse and remission, and its correlation with the presence of atopy. Methods: This cross-sectional study was approved by the Department of Pediatrics, College of Medicine, Al-Nahrain University (Baghdad, Iraq) and conducted at Al-Imamain Al-Kadhimain Medical City (Baghdad, Iraq), and Child Central Teaching Hospital (Baghdad, Iraq), and included 31 children SSNS. The data collected was: age, sex, residency, onset of NS, response to steroid, frequency of relapses, and the history of atopy of the patient and his relatives. Serum IgE level was measured during relapse for all patients and for 9 patients while in remission. Results: Atopy was present in 18 (58.06%) of patients. The median serum IgE level was 295.5 IU/mL (range 54-2864 IU/mL) in relapse, which is significantly higher (P-value =0.006) than in remission 228.5 IU/mL (range 62-2069 IU/mL). Median serum level of IgE in patients with atopy was 290.5 IU/mL (range 24-2864 IU/mL) which was higher than that of patients without atopy (median 231 IU/mL, range 23-1314 IU/m) (P-value = 0.029). Patients required longer period to respond to steroid therapy (>10 days) had a significantly higher median of IgE (341 IU/mL) than those who required <10 days to respond (161 IU/mL) (P-value =0.045). Conclusions: Increased IgE level is documented during relapse and in atopic children with SSNS. Longer duration to respond to steroid therapy is associated significantly with higher serum IgE during relapse.